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A Blog on Biblical thoughts |
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Biblical Thoughts and questions from reading God's word. |
| Several news articles of late caught my eye from todays the death of another fairly well-known evangelical preacher to a story earlier this week asking what Israel would do without US friendship, God Forbid. The US is used by God, but Israel will not only survive but thrive because God has put it where it is. As for the death of another Christian icon the influence of Christe's Church is waning in the world not because of lack of power but because Christ has allowed it and in the end all nations hate true believers. We also had the ridiculous claim that Christ was coming this Jewish feast- while there is some biblical backing for Christ to come at such a time such predictions are wrong unless absolute revelation because they bring discredit in the worlds eyes, but scripture does say men in the last days will say where is the promised coming which has been foretold. |
| There are obviously men who are first to spread the gospel to unreached groups. and based on one of Websters definition of apostle they fit the criteria, however biblically the question of modern apostleship and its authority is far trickier. Apostles of scripture as noted in the gifts of the Spirit are defined as more than missionaries. Nevertheless, even Paul acknowledges that the mark of his apostleship was those he was called to reach (1 Cor 9:2). Many point to the 11 and how they replaced steven, which I believe by the way was not God’s will as Paul was later an apostle and by this grafting as it were the twelve would have been complete. If apostle is defined by one of the twelve or one who was with Jesus during his earthly ministry, then apostles can’t exist today. Paul also battled false teachers and apostles as found in 2 Corinthians 11. Likewise, whatever the answer we battle false claims of authority today from the inherited power of Rome, which is shown to be false by the unbiblical teachings various officeholders have espoused, to smaller heresies Whether true modern apostles exist or not there are certainly counterfeits and this gives one cause to consider. There are certainly places in scripture which could be used for the support or denial of such of more apostles. One such place of indirect support is found in Romans 1 Where Paul referred to a "we " which refers to more than one apostle to the gentiles, unless of course this is a miss translation. It is noteworthy that if an apostle is a special office of someone specifically designated by Christ himself then though rare why would some not exist today. This is supported by the question, why are 12 Thrones for the direct apostles of Jesus as found in Matthew 19:28. In the end this question like all biblical questions comes down to the nature and acts of God which are important so that we give him and those he appoints to various offices due respect while rejecting and spurning and who would seek to falsely appropriate God’s glory. |
| There are similarities and differences between talents and spiritual gifts. Both come from God and grow in effectiveness with use but are not the same. Spiritual gifts are given to believers at or after salvation as seen in Ronas 12:6 and 1 Cor 12:1-11. While these gifs given for the good of the body of Christ. We are given talents or other advantages at birth which come from genetics and environment. This is why I always laugh when churches give out tests like personality tests to find peoples spiritual gifts because while these tests are great at discovering personality and bent but they are irrelevant when diagnosing true gifts. Some gifts such as Teaching might be confused with the talent of teaching even these two are different though complimentary things. The talent of teaching is honed and based on facts and personality while the gift enables individuals with or without training to connect and convey learning beyond their natural abilities and this is with the more so called lesser giftings or callings. If one is truly gifted prophetically, for instance I know of no test that can determine this! |
| I saw a story today that Senator Tim Kaine thought rights coming from God rather than government was equivalent to Theocratic Iranian thinking. This commonsense acknowledgement of course is the total opposite. If our rights come from the Creator of life, then government has no business taking these away. Just as we are told in scripture to uphold government should not infringe on what has been given to the people. It was nice to see some politicians still are educated in this nations birth as Senator Ted Cruz who cited the Declaration of Independence which read, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. |
| Salvation or the trusting in Christ and believing he rose from the dead is simple; being a Christian not so much. Today there is a great confusion about what it means to be a Christian or one who has a personal relationship with Christ as both his Lord and Savior. Hence though less on the forefront there is an uncertainty about what is salvation. Satan has done a masterful job of high jacking this name. Some think the title Christian is synonymous with being religious and others think they can be Christian without being religious. Both positions are untenable. Being a Christian or “little Christ” is also often confused with the religion of philanthropy or one of social gospel. Satan loves this twist because the gospel is stripped of its uniqueness and robbed of its power. To bear the title Christian is a great honor and we should oppose those most fiercely who take it unjustly. We seek to rescue others from the fire while pursuing God’s continual purging of our own impurity. Scripture makes it clear that Our works can't and will not save us as s it is by grace from first to last. In all afflictions and good times, we remember that no matter the burden of the responsibility the cost of rebellion is much greater than any current price. You can be a member of any denomination or cult and not be bought with the blood, but you can't remain a Christian and stay a part of many groups. Ultimately the World hates Christians because they testify as Jesus did that much of what it does is wrong. Nobody likes their pet beliefs or practices to be called evil or perverse. The prayer of every Christian should be that the Spirit of God is on them is such a way that their life is a testimony and hated or loved people know without being told that man or woman is a child of God; they are Christian. |
I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself- Robert E. Lee Despite the awesome place man has in creation like the Devil of old many are unwilling to accept their special and unique position, a position of a prince and yet of servanthood. The second Adam or Christ as the fulfillment of the Law brought man back into a place where he could fulfill his purpose and needs. Man was created as a pinnacle of the Lord’s work here was a being birthed in perfection; yet he was even closer to God than the Angels for he was created in the very image of the One and Only. Despite this lofty beginning with the mandate to rule in the name of the Father man fell thanks to the tempter who had already perverted his ways and sought to corrupt that which the Lord held most dear. In this he largely succeeded. Jews and Gentiles have always had varying responses to the fulfillment of the Law and promise their duty to their creator. These include anger, confusion and derision, to the persecutor becoming a passionate advocate all of the hatred and misunderstanding come down to two things, rebellion and unbelief. In Genesis 1 we see a glimpse of existence before the fall. We see the volition of man in perfection and the serpent and not only the curse of God on his creature, but on man’s domain and subjects as well. Some examples of the curse on the dominion of man include the soil, the serpent which lost its legs, and other creatures which were estranged from man. The scripture says that creation longs for the day it can throw off the fetters of this curse. the Law was powerless to do was to change men’s hearts. For The new covenant supported by grace is even more exacting then the old. We are now slaves to righteousness. Our attitudes our thoughts and our actions are all to be subjected to the Spirit of grace. Martin Luther sought to make the word of God the starting point and final authority for his Theology. Scripture tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. This is why men who are supposed to be setwards and rulers of creation are often a corrupt natures slaves. |
| I have always believed that the due to 2 Thessalonians as well as other passages in a mid-trib rapture. I have also found it interesting that according to some pastors some true believers may be left behind. Regardless of the timing of the saints being taken out the one standing in the way can't be the church for several reasons. 1. The church is the bride of Christ- yet this verse specifically says he 2. In this passage Paul specifically says that day will not come until after the lawless one is revealed. 3. The man of lawlessness is specifically called, in contrast to our Lord, one who once was-now is not, and yet would come if the Spirit of God is holding the Antichrist back through the church how can it be that before the general dispensation of the Holy Spirit this evil was held back. Based on these and the whole council of God I don't believe the church is the one standing in the way of the son of perdition. |
| I noticed the other day that Dr. Dobson died and it reminded me that recently John MacArthur’ also passed away. Within the last couple of years several key individuals good and bad, some even unfortunately sold out to evil, yet bastions of remembrance are passing. The scary thing is if wisdom is not passed on it can be forgotten or twisted. Ronald Reagan said that we are always only one generation away from freedom's extinction In Judges 2 6-7 we see that once joshua and the elders who were with him passed away Israel forsook the Lord. I think one good question for America will it thrive or even survive, once the last generation of such molders truly passes? |
| It seems like now days a lot of people have faith in faith, but faith itself is trust. If we do not trust what is true our Faith is in vain. Our faith is trust in Christ who dies and was raised. We know that he is the only way to the Father. This is why Satan always attacks the person of Christ denying his deity, or his character. This includes acknowledging the wickedness of sin, the completeness of forgiveness, the futility of our sacrifices, or the Lordship of Christ. Faith is upheld by the Holy Spirit as we are told people are blinded by the prince of this world (2 Cor 4:4). 2 Cor 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Romans 10:9 1 John 5:12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. |
| Have you ever wondered why eastern Mysticism and evil is so entwined with such items as yoga, types of martial arts, certain dancing, and various health and clinical practices? Based on the verses below as well as others the intersection of the body, mind, self-control and worship is a unique place in our relationship with Christ. Romans 12:1-2 12Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. |
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